House Majority Whip James Clyburn poked fun at Vice President Joe Biden during a joint appearance with him Friday.

Washington (CNN) - House Majority Whip James Clyburn had some fun at Joe Biden's expense Friday, needling the Vice President over one of his infamous campaign gaffes.

Clyburn was introducing Biden at the dedication of the Ernest "Fritz" Hollings Special Collections Library at the University of South Carolina, named for the former senator who is a close friend of Biden's.

"Ladies and gentleman, it's a pleasure for me to present to you a mainstream American who is an articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy," Clyburn said, barely concealing laughter.

Biden grinned widely and embraced Clyburn as he took the stage.

It was a reference to Biden's uncomfortable description of Barack Obama in the early days of the 2008 presidential race.

Biden called Obama, then a rival for the Democratic nomination, "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." He later apologized.

On Friday, Biden embraced his off-message reputation.

He said that after he was tapped as Obama's running mate, he jokingly warned the then-Democratic nominee: "I ain't wearing any funny hats, and I ain't changing my brand. And I've kept my promise."